Zhao Yanshan Died Peacefully of Old Age!

However, there are two sides to the story.

Although Shi Pan's achievement of the Golden Core is an immense good thing, bad things often follow in quick succession; good advancement is inevitably accompanied by loss.

Far away in the Evil Water Marsh, within the Abundant Water City, some people reached the end of their lives.

Zhao Yanshan is getting old.

This patriarch of the Zhao Household family, the right-hand man of White Cloud Temple in developing Evil Water Marsh, had completely white hair, and the wrinkles on his face were as deep as knife-carved ravines. Even his hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

The lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivator is only about 240 years at most.

Zhao Yanshan has devoted his life to the survival of his Lineage, working tirelessly day and night. Now, he has been working on developing the Evil Water Marsh for more than ten years.

In addition, he is getting old and his life is coming to an end...

Looking into the distance, Zhao Yanshan was filled with countless thoughts. He knew that his time was coming to an end, and Sun Mao had taken his place before him.

And he will follow closely behind.

One morning.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the surface of Abundant Water Lake shimmered with light. Egrets and cranes called out, and clear-water fish leaped out of the water, creating ripples.

It is naturally imbued with Spiritual Qi and teeming with vitality.

Zhao Yanshan, wearing a heavy fur cloak, sat in the courtyard of the Zhao Household's residence in the south of the city. On the stone table were two things: an account book of Abundant Water City for the past ten years and a genealogy of the Zhao Clan family.

His withered fingers traced the cover of the family genealogy book, and many images flashed through his mind.

The Zhao Household was once incredibly powerful and influential!

They were the founders of White Cloud Temple, which has stood for a thousand years, and their ancestors even produced several Golden Core cultivators. How magnificent!

Now, the power of the sect has fallen into the hands of the Yun Clan.

The Zhao Household could only survive by relying on Demon Beast. Although they have recovered some of their strength and returned to their former size, they are now facing a difficult situation.

Ultimately, without his own Golden Core Ancestor, despite having considerable wealth and manpower, he could only rely on others for his livelihood.

He toiled his entire life in order to survive, constantly on the move.

He spent his whole life striving and scheming.

Generations of members of the clan have died, but in return, the Zhao Household has achieved its current status in White Cloud Temple, ensuring the continuation of the Zhao Household.

Even though we sacrificed a lot, it was all worth it!

At this moment, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open.

A young man dressed in a blue robe walked in. His name was Zhao Xuanqing, and he was the most outstanding prospect among the younger generation of the Zhao Household.

He possesses Dual Spirit Roots and Foundation Establishment at the age of eighteen.

Now in his early forties, he is already at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. He and Sun Qiming of the Sun Household are of the same generation, and he is also the successor personally promoted by Zhao Yanshan...

"Ancestor, you called me?"

Zhao Xuanqing walked to the stone table and stood with his hands at his sides. He looked at the old patriarch's withered appearance and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

Zhao Yanshan waved his hand and pointed to the stone bench opposite him.

"Sit down. Don't stand."

Zhao Xuanqing sat down as instructed.

Zhao Yanshan pushed the family genealogy book in front of him, his voice hoarse like a leaky bellows.

"Profound Purity, I'm dying. From now on, I'll leave this to you."

Zhao Xuanqing accepted the family genealogy with both hands, his expression extremely complicated. Cultivators take life and death lightly; when one's time is up, even a god cannot save them.

But seeing that our ancestor was about to pass away, I couldn't help but feel a little reluctant.

"Rest assured, Ancestor, Profound Purity will certainly defend this family business to the death and revitalize the Zhao Clan lineage."

Zhao Yanshan smiled, but it seemed like a strained smile.

"Profound Purity, remember this."

"The Zhao Household's wealth is not just a few shops on a few streets, nor those medicinal herb fields; the Zhao Household's wealth is White Cloud Temple, and Patriarch Shi Jian."

"Our clan has invested for a century; this bond must not be broken."

Zhao Yanshan stared into Zhao Xuanqing's eyes, his tone becoming stern.

"If it weren't for the protection of our ancestor back then, our Zhao Household would probably have been completely swallowed up Zhao Household the Yun Clan long ago."

"Once you become the head of the family, the first thing you should do is pay your respects to Ancestor Shi Jian."

"Lower your stance and be more compliant."

"Ancestor Shi is the master, and we are his vassals. We must pay our due tributes without fail, and contribute our due labor without reservation."

"As long as our ancestor lives on, the Zhao Household will continue to thrive for generations to come."

Do you understand?

Zhao Xuanqing nodded emphatically.

Profound Purity will remember this.

After Zhao Yanshan finished speaking, it seemed as if he had exhausted his last bit of strength.

He leaned back in the wicker chair, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall to the south, towards the river that had once been stained with the blood of Flood Dragon.

"Too many bones are buried in the mud and swamp of this Evil Water Marsh."

"It's time for my old bones to rest."

"My life has been full of ups and downs, and I've seen so much of the world. I have no regrets, though. It's just a pity that I didn't live to see the day when this Evil Water Marsh was completely quelled..."

"There will never be another chance to see a Golden Core True Person emerge from my Zhao Clan lineage. It's truly a pity..."

Zhao Yanshan sighed, his expression gradually returning to calm.

His life, though filled with regrets.

Yet he lived a life free from illness and disaster, and was able to pull Zhao Clan back from the brink of disaster at a critical moment, so his life can be considered fulfilling.

To live to his age, to enjoy over two hundred years...

This can be considered a joyous occasion.

Gradually, Zhao Yanshan's breathing became weaker and weaker until it stopped completely.

His face gradually turned pale, his pupils gradually dilated and became unfocused, and his chest gradually calmed down, no longer rising and falling.

But he still smiled and remained calm.

This day.

The current head of the Zhao Clan family, Zhao Yanshan, passed away peacefully in Abundant Water City at dawn. When the news spread, Abundant Water City fell silent.

The entire Zhao Clan family wept as they bid farewell to this man.

Zhao Yanshan's funeral was not a grand affair, nor was there a city full of mourners; he was simply laid to rest in peace.

Sun Chengzu stood before the monument, gazing at it for a long time.

He wore a simple sword robe, poured three cups of water and wine, sprinkled them on the ground, and lit incense to send him off.

"May Elder Zhao rest in peace."

"Our two families are both disciples of our ancestor. Although we are competitors, our families still share a bond. As long as I live, I will protect your Zhao Household. Rest in peace."

"Leave the rest to the younger generation."

Sun Qiming stood behind, looking at the tombstone, and sighed.

Such a highly respected elder has passed away just like that. Truly, the great way is merciless, and time is like a knife; no one can escape this fate.

Zhao Xuanqing, dressed in mourning clothes, stood to one side.

He met Sun Qiming's gaze, and the two nodded slightly.

The friendship between the older generation ended, but the friendship between the new generation continues from this moment on. The bond between the Sun and Zhao families remains.

It's common for people to drift apart after they leave.

But in Abundant Water City, a city built with blood and flesh sacrifices, rules outweigh human sentiments. As long as the rules remain, the torch can be passed down.

The old gives way to the new, and the great path of time unfolds.

Life is but a few years, a fleeting season.

In the end, time flows like a great river, burying countless souls and bones here.

We cherish countless outstanding talents, and look to the myriad talents of today to forge a new epic chapter!